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AlphaStruxure and Montgomery County, Maryland, have initiated the construction of the nation’s largest renewable energy-powered transit depot. This project aims to create a 5.65 megawatt microgrid at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center, featuring solar arrays, electric bus chargers, battery energy storage, and an on-site hydrogen electrolyzer.
Key Highlights
- Zero Upfront Costs: Delivered via Energy as a Service (EaaS), eliminating initial capital expenditure.
- Sustainable and Resilient: The microgrid will enable indefinite operation in “island mode.”
- Major Bus Fleet: Montgomery County operates the second-largest bus fleet in the Washington, D.C. region.
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses: By 2035, the depot will support 200 zero-emission buses, primarily hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs).
- Completion by 2025: The project is expected to be fully operational by 2025, contributing renewable energy back to the grid.
County Leadership in Sustainability
Montgomery County has been a leader in zero-emissions transit. The new depot will accommodate 200 zero-emission buses by 2035, mostly hydrogen FCEBs. These buses have a longer range than battery electric buses, making them suitable for longer routes.
Previous Successes and Future Goals
The Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot, launched in 2022, marked the County’s first fully constructed microgrid-powered bus depot. Together with the new depot, these facilities will eventually power approximately 335 zero-emissions transit buses.
Statements from Key Leaders
“It’s a joyous moment to be breaking ground on a project that is the new standard for public transit in the United States,” said Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure.
County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized, “This project is the largest renewable energy-powered transit depot and transit depot microgrid in the nation; it is also the first facility on the East Coast to produce green hydrogen on-site.”
Environmental and Community Benefits
The microgrid will reduce the County’s carbon emissions by 4,000 metric tons annually, equivalent to the electricity use of about 780 homes. It also aims to advance equity by supporting zero-emissions buses for cleaner air and less congestion, particularly benefiting minority and low-income riders.
Operational Continuity
During its 28-phase construction process, the existing depot will remain fully operational with no impact on transit services. The microgrid will provide sustainable, resilient power to a mixed fleet of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses and the facility’s five buildings.
Partnerships and Collaboration
AlphaStruxure, a joint venture of Carlyle and Schneider Electric™, is financing the project through the EaaS model. The County’s Department of General Services, Department of Transportation, and Office of Energy and Sustainability are leading this initiative, supported by partners such as Mortenson, Schneider Electric, WSP, AZZO, The Mobility House, and Heliox.
AlphaStruxure’s Role and Vision
AlphaStruxure is dedicated to decarbonizing energy infrastructure rapidly and at scale. The company designs, finances, builds, owns, operates, and maintains energy infrastructure to ensure emissions reductions, reliability, and resilience. Its commitment to long-term guarantees on pricing and performance sets it apart in the EaaS sector.
For more details on this groundbreaking project, visit AlphaStruxure at alphastruxure.com.
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